Little Friends will host a community presentation on April 4th, entitled, “The Changing Face of Autism.” Dr. Cynthia Brouillard will present an overview of the changes in diagnostic criteria that will take effect May 2013. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual-Fourth Edition (DSM-IV), published by the American Psychiatric Association, is due to be released in May of this year. Autistic Disorder, Asperger’s Disorder, and PDD-NOS will be replaced by one umbrella term “Autism Spectrum Disorder.” Further distinctions will be made according to severity levels based on the amount of support needed, challenges with social communication and restricted interests and repetitive behaviors.

Attendees will also hear Miranda, a 19 year old with an Asperger’s diagnosis, talk about her journey on the spectrum, her trials and triumphs, and her plans for the future. In addition, a mother whose child was diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder, will talk about how early diagnosis and intensive Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA) therapies have impacted them. There will be question and answer time at the conclusion of the evening.

The Center for Disease Control estimates that 1 in 88 children in the United States will be diagnosed with an Autism Spectrum Disorder. Currently, there is no cure for autism, but with early diagnosis and intensive therapy these children and their families are seeing outcomes that only a few years ago didn’t seem possible.

This event is open to the public and free of charge. The presentation will take place at Meiley-Swallow Hall, 31 S. Ellsworth Street, on the campus of North Central College in Naperville, Illinois. It will start at 7:00pm and run approximately an hour and a half. Because of limited seating, reservations are required. Please contact Little Friends at (630) 355-6533 for more information and to reserve your seat now.